In the United States and around the world, cheese is more than just a food; it is central to so many of our favorite dishes. Whether you are indulging in creamy comfort food, sharing a pizza with friends or participating in a wine tasting, there are many scenarios in which to enjoy this dietary staple.
The problem with cheese, however, is that it is high in cholesterol and saturated fats, making it unhealthy to consume on a regular basis. It also has a high environmental impact, and it presents ethical concerns about animal welfare. The dairy in cheese is also unsuitable for people who are lactose intolerant. Fortunately, there is a healthy, sustainable and ethical alternative.
Vegan cheese has been growing in popularity in recent years as more and more people adopt a plant-based diet. Plant-based cheese is derived from nuts, and it provides a healthy alternative to dairy cheese for vegans and anyone concerned about health and the environment. Most importantly, it tastes delicious!
One of the main appeals of vegan cheese is that it offers a number of health benefits over its dairy-based counterpart. Plant-based cheeses have fewer processed ingredients and are more natural than regular cheeses. They also provide energy in the form of carbohydrates and fiber, so you no longer have to worry about slipping into a food coma after indulging in your favorite comfort foods.
Fauxmaggio’s vegan cheese is crafted from a wholesome blend of raw cashews, macadamia nuts, plant-based enzymes and various herbs and spices. These ingredients make our cheese a great source of vitamins and minerals.
Cashews contain 31% of the daily recommended value for copper, 23% for manganese, 20% for magnesium, 17% for phosphorous, and 12% for vitamin K. Cashews also contain proanthocyanidins, which contain flavanols that inhibit the ability of cancer cells to divide and multiply, reducing incidences of colon cancer. Furthermore, cashews contain ZERO cholesterol.
In addition to the health benefits provided by cashews, the macadamia nuts in Fauxmaggio cheese also promote health, as they contain antioxidants such as polyphenols, amino acids, flavonoids and selenium.
Sustainability is an increasingly important topic in modern times, as the threat of climate change looms large over the future. It is more important than ever to evaluate the environmental impact of the food we consume.
Dairy cheese production is one of the largest greenhouse gas generators in the world. In fact, cheese is ranked as the third worst food for the environment after lamb and beef. This is because it takes many gallons of milk to create only a small amount of cheese. Meanwhile, the dairy cows producing that milk are emitting large amounts of methane into the atmosphere. Methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas with more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide. Each year, a single cow will belch 220 pounds of methane.
The manure that dairy cows produce is another significant environmental concern. For dairies, about 43 percent of methane emissions come from manure. Plus, when handled incorrectly, cow manure can taint local water resources.
Additionally, unsustainable farming practices jeopardize prairies, wetlands and forests. All of these threatened natural landscapes are essential for our planet’s future.
Meanwhile, recent studies suggest that vegan cheese production has less than half of the environmental footprint of dairy cheese. It also requires less than a third of the land to produce, making it significantly more sustainable for the future.
There are a number of animal welfare concerns surrounding the daily industry. Dairy cows are subjected to repeated impregnation, short calving intervals, overproduction of milk and restrictive living conditions. A typical milking cow produces more than 2,000 gallons of milk per year, which can be incredibly painful for the animal.
The life of a dairy cow is not only painful, but it is also very short. Dairy cows can live for up to 25 years, but the animals have little value once their milk productivity wanes. Therefore, most dairy cows are slaughtered at 5 or 6 years of age and processed as ground beef.
By switching to vegan cheese, you can still enjoy all of your favorite cheesy dishes without contributing to the suffering of these animals.
Fauxmaggio cheeses are very similar in taste and texture to dairy-based cheese spreads. They are smooth, creamy and delicious, and they blend beautifully into stir fries, soups, salad dressing and more. Plus, they are much easier to convert to cream sauce than a typical dairy cheese!
Nut-based cheese like Fauxmaggio can act as a condiment in many recipes to add flavor or texture. It is extremely versatile and easy to cook with. To whip up a rich and creamy pasta dish, all you need is a few tablespoons of our cheese, some vegetables, your favorite pasta and a little bit of veggie broth and water. In no time you’ll have yourself a creamy and delicious meal.
That’s right! We’re confident that Fauxmaggio is the best cheese – dairy, vegan, or otherwise – you’ll ever try!
